YOGA

You: have a killer downward dog.

Show off: your skills at this weekend’s Wanderlust Yoga in the City event.

Why? Sign up for one of their three complimentary yoga sessions or find your SEVASANA in their “stress-less” lounge.

EAT

You: know that the key to a good meal begins with the ingredients.

Visit: Fundamental, one of Westwood’s newest eateries, where they have covered the basics from the market-fresh ingredients used in their Chicken Torta and Egg Salad sandwiches to the quality service they provide.

ADOPT

Your: hissy fits, tantrums, bribing and bargaining have paid off – your roommate(s) have finally caved and are OK with you getting a pet.

Stop by: G2 Gallery’s 3^rd annual pet adoption this Sunday and find that furry friend to call your own.

Why? Over 10 million dogs and cats are sent to animal shelters every year, so what’s one additional member of your household?

DINE

You: have had an attack of the munchies.

Get your fill at: California Monster Salads in Santa Monica where you can order one of their signature salads made with organic ingredients all wrapped in a bread cone, or create your own bowl of greens.

Why? If their leafy dishes don’t curb your cravings, perhaps a bowl of vegetable lentil soup and glass of Kale Lemonade will.

Location: 411 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, 90401 (map).

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Don’t subject yourself to another minute alone on the treadmill like a caged hamster. Exercising with a partner is a great way to beat those calorie-burning blues, plus the encouragement and interaction can make you forget you’re even working out. So, grab a partner, stop the gym monotony and start getting creative!

Partner training outdoors. If the weather’s nice we recommend you slap on some sunscreen and visit a beautiful park or sunny beach. Lure your lover away from the couch and pick a few partner exercises to try. End with a jog and stretch.

AcroYoga class. Don’t be intimidated. AcroYoga is a blast, plus it looks and feels amazing. “AcroYoga blends the spiritual wisdom of yoga, the loving kindness of Thai massage, and the dynamic power of Acrobatics. These three ancient lineages form this practice that cultivates trust, connection and playfulness.”

Salsa class. Dancing is the perfect remedy if you’re burnt out on the gym. It exercises the soul and it’s a great way to bond with your partner. You will probably feel like you have two left feet at your first lesson, but relax—everybody’s been there. Keep going and your body will get the hang of it!

Play sports. Remember those? Seems like it’s been ages since you’ve played, but they’re a fun way to use your competitive energy. Setup badminton in the backyard, play catch with a baseball, hit the beach for volleyball, find the nearest tennis courts, even kick a soccer ball back and forth. See how much you retained from Little League!

Don’t forget to stretch. Learn a few simple stretches that feel great and help keep each other flexible. Personal trainer not required!

Images via AcroYoga.

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Forget the Benz and three-figure salary; women today are vying for eco-empathetic gents—the ones who nurture themselves and Mother Earth. There’s something stirring about the way Mad Men‘s Vincent Kartheiser gets around Los Angeles via the subway and buses (an effort seen by just 10 percent of city dwellers). Equally alluring is Tobey Maguire’s vegetarian-made six-pack physique. Discover these hotspots for men who care about the planet as much as they do about you.

Eat

Ever wonder why green men are so fit? They don’t skip the organic and vegetarian nutrition. Browse local produce with him at the Original Farmers Market, where starting Memorial Day, summer music festivals will be held every Thursday and Friday night. (Bonus: Being outdoors you’ll avoid unflattering supermarket neon lights and wow him with sun-kissed skin).

Niki Tehranchi’s made-from-fresh EATZ cooking classes offer a dinner party setting, plus ample wine offerings while cooking a three-course meal—it’ll have you chatting up the nearest hottie in an apron before you finish your first appetizer.

Every Thursday, connect with eco-minded gents at LA Green Drinks. Upcoming: May 5: Westside; May 12: Hermosa Beach; May 19: Silver Lake; May 25: Downtown.

Stretch & Sip

Indulge in organic wine (courtesy of Silver Lake Wine) at Yogala’s Yogala Vinyasa & Vino Thursday class. Merlot got you feeling gutsy? Ask out that quiet but strapping yogi guy while he helps you with these sex-drive-boosting poses. And try out Yogi Mixers every second Friday of the month.

Mingle at the Market

Sample this flea market and the dapper gents who browse its vintage wares at Melrose Trading Post every Sunday.

Cruise into CicLAvia where fixed gear bicycles are almost as plenty as the athletic hunks who ride them. Follow them on Twitter @CicLAvia for upcoming cycle soirees.

Whether it’s home decor or stationery, every man appreciates a well-crafted good; find both at Tree People’s Green City Fair and Unique LA, May 7 and 8.

Images via We Heart It and The Fox Hunt.

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You’re ready: to go back to school.

Class is now in session at: Public School 612 in Downtown Los Angeles.

Why? This new gastro-pub on the block gives you the opportunity to test 12 local draught beers, organic and biodynamic wines and perfectly-paired plates. That rates an A in our book!

Location: 612 S. Flower Street, Los Angeles, 90017 (map). Web: publicschool612.com.

SOAR

You’ve always wanted: to fly.

Now you can (well, sort of) at: RakSa’s Flying Yoga class this Sunday.

Why? Soar like the free spirit you are while reaping the therapeutic benefits of combining massage techniques with an acrobatic experience.

Location: 10846 Washington Blvd, Culver City, 90232 (map). Date/Time: Sunday, March 13 from 1 to 3 p.m.  Web: raksasala.com.

SAVOR

You want: dishes made with ingredients so fresh you’d think they’ve been picked straight from the vine.

You could grow your own, or you could try: savory eats like potato gnocchi with peas, wild mushroom, brown butter and pecorino or pear tarte tin at Wood & Vine.

Why? In addition to organic, locally purchased, farmers’ market produce, sustainably raised seafood and grass-fed beef, Wood & Vine serves local wines and fresh cocktails.

Location: 6280 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90028 (map)  Web: woodandvine.com.

CHOOSE

You like: having options.

You need: Sage Organic Vegan Bistro on Sunset Blvd.

Why? Choose from dishes like seasonal handmade pizza, chorizo spaghetti, almond ricotta ravioli and more!

Location: 1700 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, 90026 (map).  Web: sageveganbistro.com.

Image via Etsy user girlhula.

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That pumpkin pie doesn’t need to be off limits this holiday season if you commit to some of these calorie burning workouts L.A. has to offer:

Indoor Sweat Sessions

Dove’s Bodies offers a unique, high-energy circuit boot camp in Studio City led by Dove Rose, a popular celebrity trainer who is also an environmental activist.  Her 60-90 min. classes are extremely intense and will whip you into shape in no time!

Topham Street Gym in Tarzana is the ONLY green gym in the valley!  None of the machines run on electricity.  That’s right…they are off the grid and powered by YOU. TSG also offers an array of classes ranging from Hoop Camp and Zumba to CombatFat.

The Electric Lodge in Venice offers an array of classes, from Power Yoga to Afrocaribe.  The studio is a performing and visual arts center with 30% of its energy coming from solar power and the rest from wind energy.

Fun and Free Outdoors

The Santa Monica Stairs challenges outdoor fitness enthusiasts to a grueling uphill climb.  If you’re already a regular, try adding hand weights to your stepping.

Drake Stadium is located on UCLA’s campus.  With a smooth track and stadium stairs, there are endless options to create your own impromptu bootcamp, Drake is a playground for fitness lovers!  Use of the stadium is free but bring lots of quarters if you plan to meter park–each quarter buys you only eight minutes (so taking the bus or bike would be better all around).

For detailed information about these and more workout spots visit www.exercisela.com.

Photos courtesy of Schadenfreudian Therapy and Flickr user Charlie Dave.

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To get you into the summer groove (think: sun, surf, backyard BBQs, gelato and bonfires on the beach), the YDT team has compiled a playlist of our favorite summer songs.

By the sound of things, we’re thinking this is going to be one HOT summer!

Tracy Hepler, Co-Founder

Home – Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright – Bob Dylan

Young Forever (ft. Mr. Hudson) – Jay Z

Summer Breeze – Seals & Crofts

…

Danielle Davis, Editor and Green Living Contributor

King of Spain – The Tallest Man on Earth

Paris (ft. Au Revoir Simone) – Friendly Fires

…

Sarah McClure, Green Living Writer

Summer Day – Coconut Records

Minha Menina – Os Mutantes

…

Claire Kaneb, Sales and Marketing Director

Summer Nights – Grease

Love Shack – B-52s

…

Sara Roderick, Weekender Warrior (aka Editor)/Social Media Maven

Gimme Shelter – Rolling Stones

Electric Feel – MGMT

The Seed (2.0) ft. Cody ChesnuTT – The Roots

…

Vanessa Crocini – Media Director/Documentary Film Maker

A Transa – Ciudade de Deus

A Well Deserved Break – Morcheeba

…

Emily Goldstone, Eat & Drink Editor

Morning After Dark (ft. Nelly Furtado & Soshy) – Timbaland

Imma Be – Black Eyed Peas

..

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You’ll be welcomed with open arms. Not literally, because there’s no touchy-feely, New-Age-y hijinks at SLY, just a friendly smile and greeting by one of the instructors. Juliette Kurth and Jonathan Emerson, the couple who co-founded the studio in 1995, still teach classes and keep a protective eye over the large, well-lit space.

Still need persuading to walk through the door? Let me address some possible fears and considerations:

1) “I’m intimidated. I’ve never done yoga before.” SLY is an inviting studio that’s incredibly low-key and decidedly unintimidating. In the current parlance, it’s user-friendly. No competitive yoga going on here. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be challenged if that’s what you want because it offers a wide range of levels —Juliette’s class in particular will kick your butt.

2) “They won’t have a class at the time I need.” SLY offers several classes every day, including Sunday morning.

3) “What if I don’t like the instructor?” Many people teach at SLY, all with different styles and techniques, so it’s easy to find one that fits your skill and energy level.

4) “Yoga is too expensive. I can’t afford it.” If you buy a series of 8 classes, the cost goes from $15 to about $11. A month of unlimited sessions costs $115, which could easily bring down the per class price to less than $7. There are at least two $8 “community” classes per week and for students with ID they’re all 8 bucks.

For me, yoga is part exercise, part stress reduction and part religion. I can’t imagine living in Los Angeles without the peace of mind it gives me.

I like what Jonathan says at the end of his class: “Experience the difference between the way you felt at the beginning of class and the way you feel now.” I’m always struck by how much different I feel: refreshed, alert and ready to tackle the day.

If you’ve ever thought about doing yoga, maybe 2010 is your year to start, and Silverlake Yoga the place to do it. At the least, you’ll come out feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. If you’re lucky, you’ll find your yoga home.

SILVERLAKE YOGA  at 2810 ½ Glendale Blvd.  Los Angeles, CA  90039 www.Silverlakeyoga.com

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Earlier this summer, we announced how readers can “stay cool” with our green spa of the month guide provided courtesy of Chill Out LA. Founded by Erin Mahoney Harris, author of the book Walking LA, Chill Out LA is a free site and newsletter that reviews spas and their services as well as yoga studios and other fitness facilities.

On August 11^th, readers of both Chill Out LA and Your Daily Thread will get to experience a hybrid at its best when we partner together for  “Chill Out at Bambu Thai Spa.”

Chill Out (and Veg Out) at Bambu Thai Spa

This event is about achieving radiance, both inside and out. Belly Bliss Catering will be serving up farm-fresh, mouthwatering hors d’oeuvres and decadent raw food desserts will be provided by Sunpower Natural Cafe. Guests will quench their thirst with revitalizing and refreshing herbal beverages from Tibetan Tea.

All guests will be treated to their choice of a mini “vegan facelift” or Thai massage and foot and hand scrubs will be available.  To RSVP and get exact details visit our event page here.

SPAS OF THE MONTH

Let’s face it—we could all use a little yoga. And while there are so many great studios, yogis and varying practices, this week we are featuring “The Hub” over on the West Side. Part of the green studio movement, it has a great blog, intro pricing and breathwork sessions. Check out its listing and map on Chill Out LA here.

You’ll get to experience this place firsthand if you can attend the August 11^th event. Located at 12412 Ventura Blvd. in Studio City, the center offers massage, facial and foot treatments using organic, vegan products. Bambu Thai Spa listing on Chill Out LA.…

Amrit Davaa Wellness Center

According to Chill Out LA, “Amrit Davaa Wellness Center is located inside the serenely upscale surroundings of Golden Bridge Yoga in Hollywood. In keeping with the studio’s philosophy, this mini spa focuses on Reiki, acupuncture and nutritional counseling in addition to typical spa services like massage, facials and pedicure.” We love this holistic approach, afterall what good is a beauty treatment if you aren’t taking care of the body to receive it? Here is the full review on Amrit Davaa Wellness Center.

All in all, nothing says summer like taking it easy and treating yourself to a few guilty pleasures. Everything in life requires balance, even our mind, bodies and soul. And for those of you who aren’t the spa-going type, don’t worry. We will have some great upcoming articles on Beauty products and treatments you can make for yourself from home.

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